Perth

Size limits

LOA 95m, draught 4.2m, beam 12.8m, 2,500DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Mean spring range 3.0m; mean neap range 1.5m. HSWT is 4.6 metres. Depth at low water varies according to the height of the water in the river, but harbour never dries out.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Perth is approached directly from the River Tay.

The River Tay flows into the sea between Buddon Ness (56°26.7'N 002°44.3'W) and Tentsmuir Point (56°26.7'N 002°48.8'W). There is a bar 3nm E of Buddon Ness. The buoyed channel across the bar and through the entrance lies between extensive drying sandbanks, Gaa Sand to the N and Elbow and Abertay Sands to the S, which are liable to change especially during heavy weather from the E. Abertay Sands and Elbow have been extending for many years and the extension to Elbow together with the bar, has been moving NE, but depths have remained fairly constant.

Within the entrance the channel is narrow with a minimum width of 450m, and still encumbered with sandbanks as far as Broughty Ferry, 4.5nm E of Buddon Ness. The channel then widens on approach to Dundee. Two bridges span the river at Dundee (described below) Tay Road Bridge, which runs from the centre of the city, and the railway bridge 1.5nm to the W. Perth lies on the W bank of the river 17nm from the Tay Railway Bridge

Anchorages

As advised by the Dundee Port Control.

Restrictions

Acceptance on length and draught is at the sole discretion of the Harbour Master.

Tay Road Bridge: Spans the river from E Newport (56°27.0'N 002°56.0'W) NW to Dundee. There are two navigation spans, the N span between piers 31 and 32, and the S span between 32 and 33. The width of the spans is 76m and the vertical clearance 22.8m, in the centre span. Lights are exhibited on the piers and in the centre of each span, together with daymarks (cone, point down, black and white diagonal stripes). Inbound vessels proceeding from E to W must use the N span and outbound vessels the S span. Use of the two spans either side of the navigation spans is not permitted.

Tay Railway Bridge (56°26.0'N 002°59.0'W) spans the river at the W end of Dundee. The navigable channel under the bridge is between the seventh and eighth largest spans from the N which in turn lie between piers 30 to 35. Piers 31 to 34 are marked by lights on either side. The headway under the bridge is greater than the Road Bridge in the centre span. The channel between the fourth and fifth spans from the N is obstructed by the remains of an old bridge, and must not be used for navigation.

Between the railway bridge and Perth these are power cables (56°22.0'N 003°19.0'W) spanning the river with a vertical clearance of 26m and a bridge, Friarton Road Bridge (56°23.0'N 003°25.0'W) which is marked by lights, and has a vertical clearance of 25m.

Tugs

Available by arrangement with agents.

Charts and publications

BA 1479, 1407. Admiralty Pilot NP54.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA and an accurate fresh water draught to be sent to agent, 24, 12, and 4 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Perth Harbour Radio: Ch 09.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Transport and Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport.

Position: Head of Maritime Security Operations.

Address: TRANSEC Department for Transport, 5th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 207 944 2844 (24 hrs)

Fax: +44 207 944 2175

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is proposing, in line with EU regulations associated with the ISPS Code, to extend maritime security requirements to ships operating in domestic service and to port facilities serving them. The requirements would be based on those applicable to sea going vessels and generally would apply to domestic ships operating in 'sea areas', and which carry over 12 passengers or are over 500GT. Sea going ships which are certified to carry more than 250 passengers and tankers, especially those carrying oil and gas products, are considered as having the potential to be a target for attack.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Small ship repairs can be undertaken locally.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Fresh water is available at all berths.

Bunkering: Gas oil available by road tanker.

Medical

Royal Perth Infirmary (3km).

Crew change

Can be arranged by vessel's agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Dundee (35km); Edinburgh (70km); Glasgow (115km) Aberdeen (160km).

Airport facilities: Scheduled flights to Aberdeen, Dundee, Manchester and Esbjerg (Denmark). Air Charter and car hire.

Nearest railway: Perth (3km).

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs. Weekend and night working available if required.

Where it is

The port of Perth lies 35km up river from Dundee and 46km from the North Sea.

The port

The port provides facilities for the handling of bulk and general cargoes.

Traffic

Approx 31,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Perth?

The Perth Harbour Master will arrange for the services of local qualified Pilots to assist vessels in making passage between Dundee and Perth.

What time zone is Perth in?

Local time at Perth is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Perth?

1000.

Which load line zone is Perth in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Perth?

Port State Control at Perth: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Perth?

The UN/LOCODE of Perth is GBPER.

What crews who called at Perth say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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